Psychology Department Students and Faculty Support USU’s Inclusive Excellence Symposium

Aggie’s Think-Care-Act held the third annual Inclusive Excellence Symposium on October 30, 2019. The program began with a welcome address from Utah State University President Noelle Cockett with Dr. Crystal Fleming as the keynote speaker. Fleming’s address focused on disrupting harmful systems of power and becoming effective advocates for marginalized communities. She also addressed common myths and stereotypes surrounding inclusivity.

Psychology undergraduate and graduate students attended the day’s events either in person or online via AggieCast. Three of our faculty members and two graduate students lead breakout sessions.   

Dr. Melanie Domenech Rodríguez, Cari Alvarez, and Tish Hicks presented Tracking Cultural Competence Outcomes. They discussed the creation of and curriculum behind teaching a three-semester course sequence on diversity issues and encouraging students to grow knowledge, self-awareness, and skills, as well as competency outcomes throughout the course. 

Dr. Erin Hofmann and Dr. Kathryn Sperry presented Gender 101: Supporting Gender Diverse Students at USU, which focused on spreading awareness about gender and creating support and inclusivity for students on campus across a variety of settings.

Dr. Al Savitzky and Dr. Melissa Tehee presented MESAS Program for Native American Students, which focuses on a grant-funded program to benefit Native American students on campus as well as distance campuses.

The keynote address and select breakout sessions were recorded and will be available for online viewing via the symposium website in the coming weeks.